Increasing West End Footfall

Tony Devenish: How have you been actively trying to boost footfall in the West End when lockdown restrictions allow?

The Mayor: I am doing everything I can to support businesses in the West End. I am in regular touch with the relevant business and borough leaders and I supporting them one a range of issues including licensing, maximising TFL’s capacity and proportionate enforcement of social distancing regulations.
We have substantially expanded TfL’s Streetspace programme to maximise capacity for cycling and walking into and across central London. I have commissioned a major piece of research into the future challenges and opportunities facing Central Activities Zone  (CAZ) which will inform understanding of the long-term impacts on the central London economy.
However, spending by tourists in central London is set to plummet by £10.9 billion this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which is far more than the £1.9 billion lost from fewer commuters traveling into the city. The biggest barrier to tourists and commuters returning to the CAZ is fear of transmission of the covid-19 virus. The Government needs to ensure that there is a properly functioning test, and trace system so the economy can reopen safely, but until this time the CAZ needs targeted support from Government.
As the city’s trade, investment and promotion agency, prior to the second lockdown, London & Partners had been running the pan-London #BecauseImALondoner campaign with an alliance of 600 businesses to restore consumer confidence and encourage Londoners to go out safely and responsibly to support our vital retail, leisure and hospitality businesses. The campaign has so far achieved a reach of 15 millionwith 95% positive sentiment.
Subject to the easing of the current lockdown restrictions, the next phase of the campaign will focus on encouraging consumers to visit London during the Christmas period, to help support the West End economy. But I am clear that the CAZ, including the West End, needs targeted support from Government to help it recover.

London Businesses Job Creation

Tony Devenish: How have you made your case to Government to ensure London’s businesses with high job-creation potential do not lose out to parts of the country with populations of a similar size but with business potential which may be far less?

The Mayor: When London grows, the rest of the UK grows. We have made this case, underpinned by economic data and analysis repeatedly to Government. Growth in London’s most innovative sectors offers the highest job-creation potential in the long term, both for London and the UK. I have made the case for unlocking growth in these sectors by calling for a new, long term and devolved innovation funding approach in the Comprehensive Spending Review submission, and to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy consultation on the UK Research and Development Roadmap in the summer. The response recognised the need to address disparities across the UK as part of Government’s levelling up agenda and the importance of considering GVA growth and productivity outcomes in allocating Government support across regions.

BIDs and London’s Economic Recovery

Leonie Cooper: How are you working with and supporting London’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to power London’s economic recovery from Covid-19 in the short and long term?

The Mayor: I have worked closely with London’s BIDs since the beginning of the pandemic. Earlier this year I approached all BIDs to understand their challenges and what immediate support they required. I then used their feedback and concerns to lobby central government to ensure that all London BIDs were granted funding to cover part of their management costs. Throughout the pandemic my officers have been engaging with BIDs on a regular basis to understand their issues and insight into the impact of the pandemic. Several BIDS, namely NWEC, Croydon, Camden and Euston BIDs, are represented on groups supporting the management of pandemic and recovery.

London Business Hub

Susan Hall: How many businesses has the London Business hub engaged with?

The Mayor: Following the launch of the London Business Hub on 24th September 2020, my team have run a campaign to raise awareness of the Hub’s new online platform and support programmes. To date, the campaign has engaged with 281,607 people through our social media platforms. We have had 42,295 users on the online platform since the launch, 5000 business have registered on the website and just over 8000 businesses and business bodies have opted in to receive our bi-weekly newsletters.

Economic Recovery Strategy

Tony Devenish: After the unanimous agreement of the London Assembly, can we expect a date for publication of your Economic Recovery Strategy during November 2020 as London fights to overcome Covid and protect jobs?

The Mayor: In October I published an overview paper setting out the framework for the city’s recovery: to restore confidence in the city, minimise the impact on communities and build back better the city’s economy and society. The Recovery Programme is underpinned by nine missions that are currently being taken forward, which include a focus on doubling the size of London’s green economy, revitalising our high streets, helping Londoners into good work, providing a New Deal for Young People and ensuring digital access for all. The action plans for these missions will be published in January 2021.